Boats Review
Is the 2023 Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 18 DLX the the Best Choice for Travel?
2023 Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 18 DLX Review
Reference price: from $27,995 (excluding trailer)
Type: Pontoon boat
Weight: 1450 lbs (average dry weight)
Capacity: 9 people
What we like about it: More storage space under the seats and plenty of relaxation areas on board.
What we don’t like about it: It’s a bit expensive and not for everyone.
Rating (4.7/5)
SUN TRACKER, one of the most popular manufacturers of pontoon boats in the United States, has introduced the new 2023 Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 18 DLX, which is perfect for families to spend fun time together on the water. You’ll find it equipped with three lounge seats and spacious roto-molded storage space underneath for storing safety equipment and supplies you need to bring on your trip.
The comfortable seats make driving the boat a pleasure, and the boat is very smooth in acceleration. Of course, my friend, if you want to go into the water for fun or water skiing, you can choose a larger engine, a full-width swimming platform and retractable boarding ladders and handrails, all of which can guarantee you a more enjoyable and safe play.
Here we analyze the driving experience, ride and other versions of the 2023 Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 18 DLX.
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Driving Experience
My sweetheart and I have been planning to take the kids on a boat trip in Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada for a long time. Last month we decided to purchase a PARTY BARGE 18 DLX after much deliberation, and we invited our neighbors, the Smiths, four adults and three kids to spend some quality time together.
Soon after we got on the boat, the children were all excited and playing happily on the seats. Looking at the children’s joyful figures, I felt that I was extremely happy at this moment. There was enough space on the boat for them to play on the seats. In addition, there were high enough enclosed guardrails next to the seats to keep them safe, so I didn’t have to worry about the possibility of accidents.
Humane details
The ergonomic design of the chair made me feel very comfortable when I also took the helm seat. Driving time in the Adjustable helm bucket seat proved to go by very quickly, and a few hours of driving didn’t leave me feeling tired. Also, the seat wass set up with 360° steering, so even while driving, I could occasionally turn around to keep up with their conversation .
It didn’t take long and, with the wheel in my hand, I was amazed at how silky smooth it was. The tinted windshield in front of the view also allowed me to drive the boat better without being affected by the reflections on the lake. It made me feel that even driving the boat was an excellent enjoyment.
I used the optional 60 ELPT FourStroke Command Thrust power motor, and felt almost no sensation when accelerating, which was very smooth. When the breeze blew past me, I felt as if I was on a cloud of lightness. I couldn’t find any other drawbacks other than the higher cost.
Of course, the 9′ Bimini top also did a great job of blocking out the strong sunlight so that we didn’t feel like we were in the middle of it, and my sweetheart and Mrs. Smith were happily sitting in the double lounge behind the stern watching the kids play. Looking at the smiles on their faces, I thought that buying this boat was a very good choice.
Ride Experience
Shortly after, we reached the center of the lake and I eased the boat to a stop. Pulling out the live tank and retractable boom stored under the seat, Mr. Smith and I each took one end and decided to fish the race. Our kids enjoyed the treats we brought from home while cheering us on.
Half a day’s play also made the children feel a little tired. Fortunately, the L-shaped lounge seat at the stern of the boat was perfectly adequate for them to lie down together and sleep soundly. My sweetheart and Mrs. Smith had their own time to themselves at this point, and Mr. Smith told me that after watching me steer the boat so effortlessly, he was eager to experience the boat on the return trip as well. I readily agreed, telling him that he would enjoy it. At the same time, I could also enjoy the view of the lake on the return trip with the wind blowing.
When Mr. Smith first got into the helm chair, he said to me, “Gee, man, maybe I should think about buying one of these boats. It’s so cool to be so comfortable!” After hearing that, I laughed out loud, and I was right about his reaction. But who would say no to such a practical and great experience boat?
Specification
Cockpit
The cockpit of this boat is not only beautiful but also very practical. In the location of the console, the Sun Tracker has set up two cup holders for the PARTY BARGE 18 DLX, which is convenient for me to place more drinks I want to drink. The brown baffle in front of the dashboard better blocks the strong reflections from the lake, so you don’t have to worry about not being able to see the dashboard.
In addition, the 4:2 ratio no-feedback steering is so responsive and silky smooth that you can barely feel the delay when the hull is turning.
To its credit, the boat is also equipped with an illuminated instrument panel, so even at night you can clearly see the current speed, remaining fuel and other important information.
Detailed layout
The entire marine grade flooring of Woven 16-oz. is very durable in addition to being water- and moisture-resistant, making it ideal for children to play on as it is more resistant to constant wear and tear.
Secondly, the easily retracted and unfolded 9-foot Bimini Top is well shielded from direct sunlight. My friend, honestly, you don’t have to worry about the hot light at all. This boat gives you a very refreshing sailing experience. But I have to mention that since it is manual, there may be still some troubles.
Other versions
In order for you to have a more comprehensive understanding of this series, we have also found this 2023 SUN TRACKER PARTY BARGE® 20 DLX. Hope it will be helpful to you.
2023 SUN TRACKER PARTY BARGE® 20 DLX
Unlike the 2023 Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 18 DLX, the 2023 SUN TRACKER PARTY BARGE® 20 DLX is more suitable for those who want a spacious recreational pontoon boat. At 21′ 11” in size, it is large enough for ten people to easily entertain on board. Also, it features a more comfortable helm seat that not only tilts, but also self-levels the arm, allowing the captain to enjoy the ride even more.
Whether it’s the PARTY BARGE 18 DLX or the PARTY BARGE® 20 DLX, the equipment remains almost identical and the ride experience is similar. The difference is that the latter seat is patented with the STOW MORE™ system. By adding a compartment to the backrest as a way to increase storage space, it allows you to carry more stuff on your trip. However, this does make it a little more expensive than the PARTY BARGE 18 DLX.
Overall, whether it’s the PARTY BARGE 18 DLX, which brings great experience, or the more spacious PARTY BARGE® 20 DLX, they don’t come cheap either. After all, SUN TRACKER has always been a branded household with a pontoon boat name, and some branding costs arise. If you are expecting a cheaper boat, you can also click on our homepage to learn more about the same type of party pontoon boats.
What we like about it
- Under the seat, there is a lot of storage space to store things.
- The 9-inch Bimini Top can cover a lot of sunlight, and the top also boasts storage pockets.
- The L-shaped sofa at the stern of the boat and the double lounge area ensure more people to have a better rest.
- The tinted baffle in front of the dashboard blocks reflections from the lake and the harsh sunlight.
- 4:2 ratio no-feedback steering is responsive and able to turn easily.
- Steerable and liftable helm chairs are very comfortable and convenient.
- 60 ELPT FourStroke Command Thrust is very smooth during acceleration, making you feel no vibration.
What we don’t like about it
- The 9-inch Bimini Top shades out the sun very well, but the manual operation may be a bit cumbersome.
- Even though many aspects are almost perfect, the price is still a bit expensive.
FAQ
- How fast do pontoon boats go?
My optional motor is a 60 ELPT FourStroke Command Thrust. Just like you, I was curious at first about how fast the boat could be driven. My wife helped me with my cell phone to roughly measure it while driving the boat, and it was around 17-18 mph. Although the speed is not very fast, the ship is very smooth in the middle of driving. It made us feel safe and secure.
- Is it hard to drive a pontoon boat?
You don’t need enough experience at all to drive this boat. Nor do you need to worry about not being very skilled at driving the boat, because it is very easy to get started. You will find that it won’t take you long to get used to driving it. Unlike other boats, the steering system of this boat is very responsive, and you can hardly feel the snag when turning.
- Who makes the best pontoon boat?
It depends on what aspect of the boat you’re looking for. However, SUN TRACKER is indeed one of the very popular pontoon boat builders, with many details done very well on the boat. Its boats are very comfortable-seating, with an AM/FM Bluetooth® stereo mainframe under the helm seat. You can enjoy a musical feast with your friends while you sail the boat.
2023 Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 18 DLX SPECS
Standard
| Length | 20′ |
| Deck Length | 17′ 8” |
| Deck Width | 8′ 2” |
| Max. Recommended HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 32.1 gal. |
| Pontoon Log Length | 18′ 4” |
| Pontoon Log Diameter | 24” |
| Pontoon Log Material | 0.080 5052 marine alloy |
| Max. Person Capacity | 9 persons |
| Max. Person Weight | 1220 lbs. |
| Max. Person, Motor & Gear Weight | 1750 lbs. |
| Interior Depth | 26” |
| Average Dry Weight | 1450 lbs. |
| Average Package Weight | 2965 lbs. |
| Package Height | 9′ |
| Package Width | 8′ 2” |
| Towing Length | 27′ 3” |
| Storage Length | 27′ 3” |
Optional
| Mercury® FourStroke | Speed | USD |
| 9.9 ELPT FourStroke Command Thrust ProKicker | – | $23,475 |
| 20 ELPT FourStroke | 12-14 mph | $24,355 |
| 25 ELPT FourStroke | 10-14 mph | $25,295 |
| 60 ELPT FourStroke Command Thrust | 18-22 mph | $27,995 |
| 75 ELPT FourStroke | – | $29,195 |
Video
Comparison Table
| Ships | Deck | Maximum horsepowerLimits | Maximum capacity limit |
| Crest Classic LX L Shape Sunpad 200 | 20′ | 75HP | 9 persons |
| Lowe SS190 | 20’3″ | 115HP | 11 persons |
| Starcraft Marine EX 20 C | 20’10” | 125HP | 9 persons |
2023 Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 18 DLX vs Crest Classic LX L Shape Sunpad 200
The Crest Classic LX L Shape Sunpad series has three models to choose from. If there aren’t a lot of people, then the Crest Classic LX L Shape Sunpad 200 is enough for you to have a great trip on board because of its simple and versatile performance. The layout of it is actually very similar to the 2023 Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 18 DLX, both with very ample lounge areas. It has an L-shaped sofa at the rear and two very spacious sofas at the front. But the difference is that it also has a co-pilot’s seat behind the driver’s seat, which allows the captain to easily change duties with his partner when he wants to rest.
The rear sun pad can also be converted into a changing room and comes with an optional potty, which allows you to protect your privacy when it is inconvenient to swim on the boat. You can place the folding table out to save space on the boat in normal times, and to provide great convenience when needed.
But it has to be mentioned that the Crest Classic LX L Shape Sunpad 200, priced from $37,000, is destined to orient towards customers that are not average families. If you are on a budget, then this boat is certainly a good choice.
2023 Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 18 DLX vs Lowe SS190
Although the Lowe SS190 also has three seats, the front two seats of the Lowe SS190 are smaller compared to the PARTY BARGE 18 DLX. It focuses more on the tail section for more space and the 20’3″ length allows for more friends to join the fun on the water.
In contrast, the Lowe SS190 is more focused on the experience of everyone on board. Whether it’s the comfortable black soft-grip steering wheel or the luxuriously shiny brown vinyl flooring, the captain and passengers will have a great experience.
In addition, the fiberglass-reinforced console is so bright that you can feel the pleasure of driving the boat with both eyes and hands. Because of the reduced seating arrangement, the Lowe SS190 is also slightly less expensive than the PARTY BARGE 18 DLX, but to a certain degree the experience may be better than the PARTY BARGE 18 DLX.
2023 Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 18 DLX vs Starcraft Marine EX 20 C
Starcraft Marine’s EX series contains five versatile layouts. The 20C is one of the simpler ones, very similar to the 2023 Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 18 DLX. It not only gives you very convenient performance, but also allows you to enjoy a very comfortable seat, as well as enough space to store supplies for a full day of play.
Unlike the white and gray appearance of the PARTY BARGE 18 DLX, the Starcraft Marine EX 20 C can draw your attention to its blue hull at first sight. You can stand on the platform with your friends and jump into the lake one after another, because its spacious platform is enough to accommodate three or four people to stand up together. On top of that, there is a small change room under the L-shaped seat that can be lifted up so that you can change into suitable clothes for better water play.
Although it doesn’t have as much storage space as the PARTY BARGE 18 DLX, there is an equally large storage area under the sun deck pad. You can store your boat’s garbage or items inside in large volumes.
Summary
If you and your family also want to organize a fun party on the water, then the 2023 Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 18 DLX will definitely be a good choice when you have a good budget. It is perfect for families who need to bring a lot of things out for fun, and if you want to invite your friends to join you, the ample seats can also make it easy to realize this idea. Don’t worry, even if you’re not familiar with driving a boat but long for a party on board, the PARTY BARGE 18 DLX will get you started quickly because it has a very comfortable steering wheel and an easy-to-use dashboard.
Of course, if your budget is not quite enough for the above mentioned boats, it also doesn’t matter. We have handpicked a similar style boat Sunset Breeze Duo S19 for you, which is not only very friendly in terms of price, but also has excellent performance. If you want to know more, please feel free to contact usOpen Popup.
